Ohio State Michigan: Key matchups and more on 'The Game'

Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke admitted two weeks ago the natives were restless in Ann Arbor. That’s what happens during a four-loss season, and close-call wins against Akron and UConn and a struggling win against Northwestern.

Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke admitted two weeks ago the natives were restless in Ann Arbor. That’s what happens during a four-loss season, and close-call wins against Akron and UConn and a struggling win against Northwestern. Hoke’s job isn’t likely in jeopardy, however a couple of his assistants’ jobs may be, starting with offensive coordinator Al Borges and his $700,000 salary. Now, a lot of that talk subsides if Michigan finishes with a win against the third-ranked team in the country. It will take the Wolverines’ best offensive effort of the season and a stellar day defensively to shut down Ohio State’s offense. What Hoke needs to happen is to slow down the Buckeyes early in the game, and if it’s a close game or a Michigan lead at halftime, Ohio State could be in trouble. The flip side of all this is a lopsided loss could bring lots of heat on Hoke.

KEY MATCHUPS

Michigan QB Devin Gardner vs. Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier

Gardner has struggled this season. He has completed less than 60 percent of his passes for 2,509 yards with 11 interceptions and 17 TDs. He is capable of making plays with his feet, but he’s capable of losing chunks of yards, too. Gardner has gained 794 yards this season, but he lost 321 for a net of 473. Shazier is coming off his best game of the season and he needs to keep close pace to his 20 tackles he had last week — with 16 of those solos — in order to stay in the conversation on some of the national awards.

The Buckeyes moved Washington inside with the emergence of Joey Bosa and Noah Spence. With Washington inside next to Bennett, that is OSU’s most disruptive line. One of the reasons Michigan’s offense has struggled is Toussaint’s 3.4 yards per-carry average this season. That’s more than a full yards off his career average of 4.5. Toussaint needs to get to the second level but for that to happen, he has to make the front-line miss.

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller vs. Michigan CB Blake Countess

Miller has not thrown the ball particularly well, at least not consistently, the last two games. Still, Miller connected with Devin Smith on a post route for a touchdown against Indiana. Miller has fallen off his 70 percent completion rate, slightly off to 68 percent. Still pretty good. However, Countess leads the Big Ten and is tied for eighth in the country with five picks. Raymon Taylor has four for Michigan. They lead a defense that has 16 picks, and for Michigan to pull off an upset, it is going to have to win the turnover battle. If Miller is on throwing the football, and gets his confidence, it could be a long day for the Wolverines. If Miller struggles in the air, he usually runs too early and gives up on passes.

Page 2 of 2 - TODD'S PREDICTION

Ohio State 37, Michigan 20

NOTABLE MICHIGAN ALUMNI

• James Earl Jones was the voice of Darth Vader and had a memorable role in “Field of Dreams” after his 1955 graduation.

• Jim Buckmaster is the CEO of Craigslist before earning his master’s in 1990.

• New York real estate developer Stephen Ross (1962) gave $100 million to the business school in 2004 and $200 million athletics and the business school this year.

• Ann Coulter, surprising given the liberal leanings of Ann Arbor, is a conservative commentator and a 1988 grad.

• Rich Eisen of the NFL Network graduated in 1990.

• Dan Dierdorf graduated in 1970.

• Roger Bettis, who set passing records at Minerva High School, graduated in 1977 and runs Green Line Transportation in Malvern.